Brazilian Nights is the seventeenth studio album by Kenny G, released on January 27, 2015, his second bossa nova album, following Rhythm & Romance released in 2008,[2] and his first studio album since Heart and Soul (2010).

Brazilian Nights
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 27, 2015
Recorded2014
GenreLatin jazz, Smooth jazz
Length60:01
LabelConcord Records
ProducerKenny G
Walter Afanasieff
Kenny G chronology
Namaste
(2012)
Brazilian Nights
(2015)
New Standards
(2021)
Singles from Brazilian Nights
  1. "Bossa Réal"
    Released: November 4, 2014
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Background edit

Kenny G had his inspiration for the album when he was touring and traveling in Brazil, especially in Rio de Janeiro. Explaining this, he said that he loved the Bossa nova genre, the people in Brazil and the nights of dancing and singing. He decided to take the Bossa nova sounds into his new album.[3] The album's deluxe edition also contains 4 live versions of Kenny G's biggest hits, such as "Forever in Love" and "Heart and Soul".

Track listing edit

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Bossa Antigua"Paul Desmond3:48
2."Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars)"Antônio Carlos Jobim7:30
3."Bossa Réal"Walter Afanasieff, Kenny G7:36
4."Brazilian Nights"Afanasieff, Kenny G6:32
5."April Rain"Afanasieff, Kenny G6:48
6."Menina Moca"Luis Antonio5:57
7."Bu Bossa"Afanasieff, Kenny G4:25
8."Clouds"Afanasieff, Kenny G5:37
9."Girl From Ipanema"Vinicius de Moraes, Antônio Carlos Jobim5:33
10."Summer Love"Afanasieff, Kenny G6:15
Total length:01:00:01

Personnel edit

  • Kenny G – alto saxophone (1, 2, 5, 8), soprano saxophone (3, 10), tenor saxophone (4, 6, 7, 9), arrangements
  • Walter Afanasieff – pianos, synthesizers, drum and percussion programming, arrangements, orchestra arrangements
  • Sam Hirsh – acoustic piano (5)
  • Jorge Calandrelli – orchestra arrangements

Production edit

  • Producers – Kenny G and Walter Afanasieff
  • Engineer – Gordon Lyon
  • Additional Engineering – Adam Bradford, Martin Nessi and Steven Shepherd.
  • Mixed by Humberto Gatica
  • Mastered by Stephen Marcussen at Marcussen Mastering (Hollywood, CA).
  • Art Direction – Todd Gallopo
  • Design – Todd Gallopo and Jan Montgomery
  • Photography – Chapman Baehler

Chart performance edit

The album brought Kenny G back to the Billboard 200 after 5 years. It's also Kenny's eighth No.1 album in the Billboard Jazz Albums.

Chart (2015) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard 200 86
U.S. Billboard Jazz Albums 1

References edit

  1. ^ Allmusic review
  2. ^ "Kenny-G-Brazilian-Nights". AllMusic. September 3, 2016.
  3. ^ "Kenny G Brazilian Nights". JazzTimes. March 22, 2015.